Top Values at the LCBO (June 2019)

June Deals and Discounts at the LCBO
Your Guide to Best Values, Limited Time Offers & Bonus Air Miles selections at the LCBOby Steve Thurlow

Steve Thurlow

I am just back from a week in Austria where I was doing research for a future wine tour and discovering new wines from the border regions with Slovenia and Hungary. Often these new wines were matched with some superb cuisine. I was hoping that a wine from Austria might join the Top50, however when I ran the program that creates the list, the new wines were all from elsewhere in the world.

Six wines joined the Top 50 list this month. Two are delists and the others are on discount for the next month. I also write about some wines that were already on the Top50 that are better than usual value due to discounts (LTO) or Bonus AirMiles (BAMs).

Among the twelve wines highlighted in today’s report are:

Six wines joined the Top50 this month

Some big discounts; as much as $4.05

One lovely merlot from Chile for $8.95

A powerful rich LBV Port for $13.40

10 wines score 88 or more points

Two Vintages Essentials

Three VQA wines

The current promotional period runs until June 23rd, but delisted wines don’t last long, so don’t hesitate. Thanks to WineAlign’s inventory tracking, I can assure you that there were stocks available, when we published, of every wine that I highlight.

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Top Value Reds

Trapiche Reserve Merlot 2017, Mendoza Argentina ($8.95 was $12.40) – Delisted – This is a rich pure merlot with a fragrant nose of black cherry and blackberry fruit with well integrated warm oak spice plus a hint of smoke and vanilla. It is midweight and juicy with a nicely structured firm finish. Quite classy with very good length. Try with a some juicy lamb cutlets.

Farnese Fantini Negroamaro 2017, Puglia, Italy ($9.40 plus 5 BAMs – This is a classy red for a very modest price. It shows good varietal character with a fairly complex nose of spicy black cherry, with floral and citrus and hints of toffee and tobacco. Full bodied, juicy and tasty. It is well balanced with good to very good length. Enjoy on its own or mildly spicy sausages.

Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir 2017, Central Valley, Chile ($10.00 was $12.00) – New to Top50 – There is little to compete in pinot at LCBO for $10 for this quality and varietal authenticity. Expect mild aromas of red cherry and raspberry fruit with hints of oak and some spice tones. It is midweight and fruity with nice balancing acidity and soft tannin. Good to very good length. Try with BBQ meats.

Dan Aykroyd Cabernet Merlot 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario ($11.05 was $14.95) – Delisted – This is a well made Bordeaux style blend with the ripe fruit well balanced by soft tannin and lively acidity. It is midweight and juicy with some fine tannin that will add to complexity as it ages. Best 2019 to 2021. Very good length.

Cono Sur Bicicleta Shiraz 2018, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($11.50 plus 5 BAMs) – I think that 2018 is the best vintage ever for this opaque purple red with perfumed blackberry fruit aromas with hints of black pepper plus some herbal and floral complexity and a hint of red grapefruit. It is full bodied and well balanced by lively acidity with some soft tannin that emerges on the finish to give a little grip. Very good length. Try with a steak.

Trapiche Broquel Malbec 2016, Mendoza Argentina ($13.00 was $15.00) – This is a very classy malbec with a complex nose that is very inviting yet subtle. It’s midweight to full bodied, fairly dense, and smooth with a lingering dry finish. Very good focus and length. Try with a steak. Best 2019 to 2022.

Sandeman Late Bottled Vintage Port 2014, Douro Valley, Portugal ($13.40 was $17.45) – Delisted – This full-bodied LBV port has a delicacy to nose and palate despite the alcohol (20.5%). The palate is sweet and juicy with ripe black fruit. There is some elegance due to the vibrant acidity. Sip on its own with dark chocolate or with mixed nuts and hard mature cheese. The finish is very smooth. Good to very good length.

Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2017, Swartland, South Africa ($15.95 plus 5BAMs) – The 2017 shows more elegance and relies less on ripe fruit and oak toned aromas and flavours than in the past and certainly does not disappoint. The palate has some juicy acidity to balance the ripe fruit with a good depth of flavour. Quite European in styling. Midweight with some firm tannin for balance and very good length.

Cave Spring Cabernet Franc 2016, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario ($16.45 was $17.95) – This is a very classy red with aromas of red and black cherry fruit with mild oak spice and hints of tea and sweet herbal tones. It is midweight and juicy with a fruity yet firm dry finish. Very good to excellent length. Decant for an hour or two and try with juicy lamb cutlets. Best 2019 to 2022.

Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Port 2012, Douro Valley, Portugal ($18.00) – This LBV displays beautiful fragrant aromas of blackberry jam, honey, licorice, and dark chocolate. It’s full-bodied and very smooth, with a soft, creamy texture and is light on the palate despite the 20% alcohol, and has little to no heat on the finish. Very graceful with very good to excellent length.

Top Value Whites

Pasqua Soave 2017, Veneto, Italy (1500ml – $14.95 was $16.50) – New to Top50 – This is an inexpensive and consistently well made Soave that shows delicate aromas with a palate that is clean, fresh and lively with some vibrant acidity for balance and a good depth of flavour. It is dry with just enough fruit sweetness to give some richness to the palate. Good to very good length with a clean pure finish. Try with creamy pasta sauces, seafood or mildly flavoured poultry.

Malivoire Chardonnay 2017, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario ($17.95 was $19.95) – New to Top50 – This is a classic Niagara chardonnay with a lovely soft creamy texture. The nose shows ripe apple, white peach and melon fruit with toffee, baked lemon and mild oak spice. It is finely balanced and midweight and quite rich. Very good length. Try with roast veal or pork.

How does a wine get selected for the Top Value Report:

Today’s report pulls best buys from Steve’s Top 50 which is a standing WineAlign list based on quality/price ratio of the 1,600 or so wines in LCBO Wines and the VINTAGES Essentials Collection.

There are three ways that a wine gets into this monthly report of wines that are always in the stores either on the LCBO “General List” or the VINTAGES Essential Collection. (You can access these lists under the Wine tab on WineAlign.)

• On Sale (LTO’s or Limited Time Offers): Every four weeks the LCBO discounts around 200 wines I have looked through the current batch and have highlighted some of my favourites that offer better value at present…. so stock up now.

• Bonus Air Miles (BAM’s): If you collect Air Miles then you will be getting Bonus Air Miles on another 150 or so wines…a few of these have a special appeal for a while.

• Steve’s Top 50: Wines that have moved onto my Top 50 Best Values this month. This is on an-on going WineAlign selection that mathematically calculates value by comparing the price and rating of all the wines on the LCBO General List. The Top 50 changes all the time, so remember to check before shopping.

I will be back next month with more news on value arrivals to Essentials and the LCBO.

Editor’s Note: You can find our complete critic reviews by clicking on any of the wine images or links highlighted. Paid subscribers to WineAlign see all critic reviews immediately. Non-paid users wait 30 days to see new reviews. Membership has its privileges; like first access to great value wines!